Moving...by Bike!

Most people we talk to detest the idea of moving day. Not so with friends of ours, who recently elected to move the contents of their Jamaica Plain home by bikes and large bike trailers...

With an implicit mission to reduce the carbon footprint of a standard move (which usually involves an inefficient truck), our friends discovered that the greatest aspect of this adventure was the sense of community and inspiration it created.

Apparently Boston' bike community rallied around this idea, with a number of people graciously lending their bike trailers, including two carpenters who always carry their tools by bike. The 1/2 mile move was carried out by about 11 friends making multiple trips. All told, the move took about three and a half hours. Their mattress and a few straggling possessions were the only items moved by car.

The sight of a bunch of people trudging moving boxes and furniture by bikes elicited wonderful reactions by passersby and drivers alike. In fact, when one bike mover was stalled on an incline, three pedestrians helped shove the trailer up and over the tough spot.

Thankfully, this may not be the last you hear about the bike move crew. Serendipitously, they were spotted by a guy on a motorcycle who is making a documentary about Boston's bike community and he shot some great footage of the move!

Next time you're dreading a neighborhood move, remember the Jamaica Plain Bike Move of 2009 and ponder the possibility of turning a joyless task into an amazing opportunity for community building, environmental activism and a hearty, hearty sense of accomplishment.